TOMMY Spurr will not play again before the international break after Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer revealed the left back’s latest groin injury will rule him out for at least two more weeks.

Spurr has missed the opening three games of the campaign and yesterday his manager confirmed that he will also miss tonight’s trek to Norwich City, Saturday’s visit of Bournemouth and the trip to Wolves on Saturday week before the Championship shuts down for a fortnight.

Bowyer said: “Tommy is going to be a couple more weeks easily.”

The loss of Spurr, who sat out the final three matches of last season with a different groin problem, has been tempered by the fine form of his replacement Markus Olsson.

“I think Markus has started this season just like the way he finished last season – he’s been outstanding,” said Bowyer, whose side picked up their first win of the campaign on Saturday by edging a closely fought derby at Blackpool 2-1.

“I thought he defended ever so well on Saturday. He picked up an early booking – and if it was a booking, every foul is a booking – but what he did do then was defend ever so well on that yellow card for long periods of the game.

“Tommy was a fantastic signing for us last season, to come in on a free transfer and play as well as he did, he became a fans’ favourite and rightly so.

“But Markus has come in and stepped into his shoes no problem.”

Bowyer will also be without centre back Matt Kilgallon and striker Chris Brown this evening.

But he is hopeful former Kilgallon will return to training later this week and force himself into contention for Saturday’s home clash with Bournemouth.

The Cherries were the last team to beat Rovers in the Championship, way back on March 12.

Since then the Ewood outfit have gone on an unbeaten run which was extended to 14 games with a win at Blackpool on Saturday.

Bowyer hailed the 2,227-strong travelling support at Bloomfield Road and is desperate to reward the small band of Rovers fans who will make the 10-hour round journey to Norfolk tonight.

He said: “The supporters were outstanding on Saturday and they played a massive part.

“When you’ve got away support like that, it showed what a big help it is to the players.

“And from then to make that journey to Norwich on a Tuesday night is fantastic.

“We’ll go there and give it a good go and hopefully we’ll make the journey worthwhile.”

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